MOBILE, Alabama – The crowds came out early and in strong numbers on Friday, as the downtown Mardi Gras parade season began with its traditional Conde Cavaliers flourish. According to Mobile police, 84,270 people enjoyed the perfect, 60-degree night. It was bookended by a pink sky at sunset, and a near-full moon illuminating thousands through the darkness along parade route A.

In-between as the Condes' “Cocktail Party” swung through the streets, led by the massive Conde Express locomotive which towered over the barricades. With hundreds of Senior Bowlers in town, there was a greater focus on the kickoff parade, symbolized by the “Big Bertha” spotlight shooting its column of light into the skyline, which glowed purple, gold and green throughout the parade.

Two kings stood at the lead of their respective floats as the 18-float procession went by: Elvis with his ukulele, aboard “Blue Hawaii;” and Joe Cain, incredibly detailed with his horse aboard the float bearing his name. Crowds seemed split on which was their favorite, as both carried maskers throwing generous amounts of beads and cups.

There were few delays along the parade route, and Mobile police reported no major arrests or issues.

Best float: It was a tight race, but the award goes to the “Joe Cain” float. Considering the detail put into the feather on his walking stick, and his horse’s tack, it shouldn’t have been close. But other floats such as “Beer Thirty” and “Mai Tai” made the decision difficult.

Stingy or generous: Definitely ample. Although the floats didn’t bog down often, the maskers were responsive to the crowd’s cheers. Beads and cups were the predominant throw, much more than Moon Pies and other trinkets.

Weather: 60 degrees, with some cloud cover but only enough to add a mysterious aura to the fullish moon; light breeze and no chill.

On time? The Condes rolled promptly at 6:30 p.m. and were easily done by 8 p.m.

Best throw: A yellow “rear-end cushion” emblazoned with a pink flamingo, fished off the roof of a corn-dog vendor thanks to the teamwork of strangers from the Bienville Square crowd.

Best pep talk: Upon leaving the Civic Center’s main entrance, maskers from multiple floats embraced and clapped each other on the back inside the barricades, wishing each other luck and a good show.

Best spirit: After easily snagging a golden set of beads from the reach of a much younger man, a tall gentleman then draped the beads over the other man’s neck with a pat on the shoulder.

Best photo opp: The masker with a blow-up doll dressed in a floor-length black gown barely got to his float on time, for all the folks stopping him for cell phone souvenirs.

Best headdress: The Saraland Spartan Band looked very sharp in its shining, silver helmets and red crest. The drum major even had a full silver facemask on, as well.